Highlanders Host Lane United FC Under The Lights At Centennial Stadium

Photo: Gord Rufh

VICTORIA, BC - Victoria Highlanders FC (0-3-0) host Oregon-based side Lane United FC (1-1-0) in Week 4 of the Premier Development League (PDL) regular season, May 25 (6:35 PM PST KO) at the University of Victoria’s (UVic) Centennial Stadium.

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The Highlanders return to Centennial Stadium for their second home game of the year. The Victoria squad is coming off a tough 1-0 loss in their Home Opener versus Portland Timbers U-23. The match will be streamed online through the Highlanders Official YouTube channel.

VICTORIA HIGHLANDERS FC
Close to 1000 people gathered at Centennial Stadium to attend the Highlanders Home Opener last weekend. Despite another strong performance, the Victoria side was unable to capitalize a number of quality opportunities in the attacking third, leaving a highlight-reel strike from Portland’s Gio Magama-Rivera as the difference at the end of the day. The Highlanders will look to turn their performances into victories starting this Friday. 

“The team is showing a very positive attitude towards the things we need to improve, especially in the finishing aspect of the game,” said head coach Thomas Niendorf. “We all know that we are more than capable of winning our first game. So, the keys for our next game is to build on our last team performance and to finally start scoring. We need to finish the chances we are capable of creating.”

LANE UNITED FC
Lane United FC travel to Victoria following a win and a loss in their opening weekend of the season. Kicking off the 2018 season, Lane traveled north of the border where they took down Highlander’s rivals TSS FC Rovers in an impressive 4-1 victory. Most recently, the team dropped three points in a 3-1 loss to Seattle Sounders U-23 in their Home Opener.

Lane’s opening weekend was highlighted by University of Washington forward Kyle Coffee, who found the back of the net three times versus TSS will certainly be a threat to Victoria’s defensive efforts and will no doubt head to Victoria looking to add to his goal scoring total.

“We have seen Lane United playing against TSS and have a very good idea about their playing style and approach to the game,” added Niendorf. “All the teams in the league are strong competitors and every game will be contested at a level where we need to make our efforts count.”

2017 SEASON SERIES
Victoria and Lane’s 2017 regular season series was a high-scoring affair, with 14 goals spread across three games. Highlanders won the first match-up by a score of 4-1 on May 14th at Centennial Stadium, with goals scored by Victoria’s Callum Montgomery, Owen Pearce, Andrew Ofosu, and Blair Sturrock. Lane’s lone goal came off the foot of Ismael Fernandez.

In the return leg, Lane United lost the first game in Oregon 1-0 on June 29th and won the second 7-1 on July 1st at Willamalane Center in Springfield, Oregon. Victoria’s Sho Goto scored the single goal for the away win. Ismael Fernandez, Nick Moon, Joel Rydstrand, and Anthony Macchione registered goals through the third match, while Francesco Bartolillo scored Victoria’s goal.

Tickets are available for Friday’s clash against Lane United FC at Centennial Stadium at www.highlandersfc.ca/tickets. For more information, please visit www.highlandersfc.ca.

MATCH DETAILS
2018 PDL Regular Season – Week 4
Centennial Stadium – University of Victoria
May 25, 2018 – 6:35 pm PST
WATCH: Highlanders YouTube Channel

ABOUT VICTORIA HIGHLANDERS FC
Behind the scenes, the Highlanders organization has undergone a complete overhaul since the 2017 PDL season. A new ownership group, new logo and an unprecedented number of local partners have come together to put the club back on the sporting map. The changes are a positive step for the club, who will be aiming to rise to the top of Victoria’s sporting scene with fresh game-day activations and professional structure.

Last season the Highlanders competed in the Premier Development League (PDL). Developing a path for aspiring professional soccer players to reach the highest level. Notable players such as Brett Levis (Whitecaps FC), Jamar Dixon (Ottawa Fury), and Matt Polster (Chicago Fire) are just a few of the notable alumni that have come through Victoria’s ranks.